King set to spotlight ‘great suffering’ experienced by victims and survivors of the transatlantic slave trade

Although the question of reparations is a matter for the UK Government, not King Charles, His Majesty is expected to say: “It is only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering of the past, in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.”

His Majesty is expected to add: “Tonight it gives me enormous hope to see the way generations of Bahamians have carried the history, the legacy and the promise bequeathed to you by your ancestors, with pride in your hearts and purpose in your steps.”

“You have not only carried their legacy, you have nurtured and enhanced it, creatively and courageously, and we have seen tonight what a wonderful gift it is to The Bahamas and to the world.”

King Charles is also expected to accept that Commonwealth leaders will discuss possible reparations at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting being held in Antigua next week, and his opening address is also expected to contain references to Britain’s colonial past.

However, since King Charles is a constitutional monarch, a decision to pay reparations rests on Andy Burnham’s administration – Foreign office sources indicate the UK Government will not concede to the demands of former colonies.

Despite Britain’s colonial past dominating discussions in recent weeks, palace officials and the Bahamian government hope the visit will highlight future youth opportunities, education and employment.

Climate change is expected to be another key theme; the islands sit only two metres above sea level.

King Charles is expected to highlight the challenges faced by the population, saying “our world cries out for healing” on the issue.

He is expected to reference how “for my own part, for more than 50 years, I have tried through various initiatives and organisations, to assist young people across the Commonwealth…to innovate, to prosper and to thrive, and do so in harmony with nature”.

Speaking to the young attendies at the youth rally, The King is expected to ask them to “take up the sacred task to play your part” in these undertakings as “in years to come, this will surely be the measure of every person – how they answered the call to care for Planet Earth – the source of our life, our prosperity ands our security.”

His Majesty has tonight landed in The Bahamas for a two-day Royal Visit to his realm, and is receiving a Royal Salute from a specially assembled Guard of Honour.

96 members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are providing the Guard of Honour.